Today, food products using descriptive terms on food labels must meet strict regulations. Understand that it isn't important or even possible to memorize all the definitions. It's only important to know that these terms have strict regulations.

Table of Contents for "Nutrition Facts" Label Getting Started Food Guide Pyramid Review Introduction What's on the Label Nutrition Facts Label Descriptive Terms Nutrient Content Claims Health Claims Summary Web Sites to Visit Review questions Back to Nutrition Curriculum Lessons

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Descriptive Terms

Prior to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, many descriptive terms used on labels were not regulated. Today, food products using descriptive terms on food labels must meet strict regulations. Understand that it isn't important or even possible to memorize all the definitions. It's only important to know that these terms have strict regulations. The list below will help you understand what the descriptive terms mean.

Label Language

Just like the Nutrition Facts, nutrient content claims are defined for one serving. For example, that means that low- fat cheese has no more than three grams of fat per serving.

Nutrient Content Claim-Definition per Serving

Calories

Calorie free - less than five calories

Low calorie - 40 calories or less

Reduced or fewer calories - at least 25% fewer calories*

Light - one-third fewer calories*

Sugar

Sugar free - less than 0.5 gram sugar

Reduced sugar - at least 25% less sugars*

No added sugar - no sugars added during processing or packing, including ingredients that contain sugars such as fruit juices, applesauce or dried fruit

Fat

Fat free - less than 0.5 gram of fat

Low fat - three grams or less of fat

Reduced or less fat - at least 25% less fat*

Light - 50% less fat

Saturated Fat

Saturated fat free - less than 0.5 gram saturated fat

Low saturated fat - 1 gram or less saturated fat per serving and not more than 15% of calories from saturated fat

Reduced or Less saturated fat - at least 25 % less saturated fat*

Cholesterol

Cholesterol free - less than 2 milligrams cholesterol and 2 grams or less of saturated fat

Low cholesterol - 20 milligrams or less cholesterol and 2 grams or less of saturated fat

Reduced or less cholesterol - at least 25% less cholesterol and 2 grams or less saturated fat*

Sodium

Sodium free - less than 5 milligrams sodium

Very low sodium - 35 milligrams or less sodium

Low sodium - 140 milligrams or less sodium

Reduced or less sodium - at least 25% less sodium*

Light in sodium - 50% or less sodium

Fiber

High fiber - 5 grams or more

Good source of fiber - 2.5 grams to 4.9 grams

More or added fiber - at least 2.5 grams more fiber

Other Claims

High, rich in, excellent source of - 20% or more of Daily Value

Good source - provides 10% to 19% of Daily Value

More, enriched, fortified - added 10% or more of Daily Value

Lean** - Less than 10 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams cholesterol

Extra lean** - Less than 5 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams cholesterol

* as compared with a standard serving size of the traditional food

** on meat, poultry, seafood and game meats

If you read carefully, you noticed that reduced means at least 25% less of something than the traditional food. For example, reduced sodium is 25% less sodium, reduced fat is 25% less fat and reduced cholesterol is 25% less cholesterol than the traditional food. This one is easy to remember, but a 25% reduction doesn't mean it is low in sodium, fat, cholesterol or whatever. You must read the label.